> It exists only for the people who think it exists

Right. Which means it does exist. And the point of the article is to bring about self awareness of the phenomenon so that people can improve.

I think you have the same goal with your comment, but your style of communication needs work.

Ironically, I would argue you might benefit from caring a little about how others perceive you.

Have you thought about why they developed a need for intellectual validation?

I think you're a little quick to hand wave the phenomenon away, as if it's purely a social construct that people care about how they appear to others.